Teaching the Writing Process
Rough Draft
Some may feel that teaching writing is one of the most cumbersome subjects. For some students, writing topics are too abstract and for others, they may need a modification or accommodation. However, through careful writing unit planning, you can make your students feel at ease and comfortable enough to take that writing risk.
My previous blog post on teaching writing can be found here, Step 3 – Pre-Writing. I would check it out before reading below. Happy Writing!
Modeling
Before sending students off to draft, first start by modeling the beginning of writing a rough draft. Use the prewriting graphic organizer you already created to write or type a rough draft on paper.
Make sure to model how this is a draft and not to worry about editing his or her work as they are drafting. I would even suggest even modeling making errors while writing your draft. I try to remind writers that during the draft portion of the writing process, the goal is to get thoughts down on paper, not necessarily edit along the way.
Think Aloud When Modeling
Make sure to “think aloud” while doing this so students realize the process. “I know when I write a paragraph, I need to begin with a topic sentence. My paragraph is about…”
Before letting them begin, I would also make a point of reminding the students one more time to not worry about fixing errors during this portion of the writing process. Students will often get caught up by errors within their rough draft.
Student’s Rough Draft
Students will now begin their own rough draft. You can either have them write digitally or on paper. Some students might be more comfortable with one process over another. Other students may need a specialized accommodation, so make sure to check their IEP’s.
Another option for writers is to have them write a rough draft on a paragraph Web Graphic Organizer. Students can write complete sentences on the paragraph web. This will make it easier to write and focus on paragraphs and topics. Many of the students I work with who have written expression goals find it easier to write their essays using paragraph webs.
Even though you may tell students to not worry about errors and making edits, some students may need some extra spelling support. First, I encourage the students to tap out the sounds or scoop the syllables. Another option is to give them a Sight Word Spelling Chart. This has all the main sight words for the students to reference when writing. You can find them when searching, but I also have one in my graphic organizer product and in my Student Dictionary product. Check them out!
You may allow your students to work individually, small groups, or pairs/partners.
Accommodations:
- Help Table: After modeling and sending students off to fill out their own graphic organizers, I would pull a small group or have a writers “help” table to support students. You can specifically invite some students and/or have it open to all who want support.
- Scribe: Some students may have a scribe in their IEP, so double check on specifics to that accommodation. However, depending on the students, they can use speech-to-text to create their rough draft.
- Digital: Some students may feel more comfortable to write their rough draft digitally rather than on paper. You can offer both for students to choose from.
- Speech to Text: Another benefit from writing the rough draft on Google Docs is Speech to Text. Students can find a quiet place and use the speech to text option. NOTE: Speech to text is easier on Google Docs than on Google Slides. It’s still possible on Google Slides, there will be an extra step. Let me know if you want to know more about this process.
- Sight Word Support: Some students may need additional support with spelling and sight word spelling and may benefit from a sight word spelling chart. This has all the main sight words for the students to reference when writing. You can find them when searching, but I also have one in my graphic organizer product and in my Student Dictionary product. Check them out!
Calls to Action
• Check out my Writing Units
• Check out earlier blog posts on the writing process: Step 3 – Pre-writing
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